Itar-Tass
October 21

The U.N. secretary-general ended his official three-day visit to Uzbekistan with an inspection of Bukhara monuments, masterpieces of Oriental architecture. During his visit, Kofi Annan held several meetings with high-ranking Uzbek statesmen - above all Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

The sides discussed struggle against international terrorism and illicit drug trafficking. They also examine the situation in neighboring Afghanistan and construction of a democratic state in that country.

Annan and Karimov discussed ways of settling ecological problems in the area of the Aral Sea, participation of the international community, various government and non-government organisation in resolving this issue. The secretary-general and the president also discussed security in the Central Asian region, barriers to international extremism and fanaticism. Summing up the results of talks with the Uzbek head of state, Annan dwelt at length on observing human rights and prevention of the global ecological threat as a result of a disappearance of the Aral Sea. "If we are to speak about cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Nations," Annan continued, "the results are good, and everything is developing in the right direction. I hope that this will be the case in future too," he emphasized.

Karimov and Annan examined the reform of the United Nations at their meeting. Speaking of the reform, the Uzbek president said as follows: "Regrettably, I don't see any success of these reforms by the example of Uzbekistan and the entire Central Asian region.

"Small secret that many U.N. decisions remain a scrap of paper and do not have any serious influence. These are, above all, questions of security, peace and stability in the world."

Annan also met speaker of the Uzbek parliament Erkin Khalilov and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov. During the visit, Annan had a meeting with the head of U.N. programmes, funds and agencies, operating in Uzbekistan.

While making sight-seeing tours of the world's most ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara which are 2,500 years old, Annan noted: "I was amazed at great beauty of these cities, bearers of ancient civilization and high culture. Their monuments and architectural masterpieces can be a source of price not only for Uzbek citizens: culture and beauty of ancient architecture belong to the entire world."

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